Solange Tumuhairwe, a third-year law student at University of Kigali, started developing strands of white hair while in senior two. This didn’t worry her at all back then as she, like many other, subscribed to a popular myth that associated early graying to richness.

Things got worse when she turned 20, with almost half of her hair getting gray to the point that even plaiting could not hide it.

"Whenever I shaved, the same hair would grow back. I decided to go for hair dyes to make it dark, which is the same thing I have been doing for the last three years. Now I feel better because I can conceal the gray area,” she says.

Just like Tumuhairwe, today it’s not rare to meet young people with their heads covered with gray hair. However, whereas some of these youth love the gray hair for its uniqueness, others hate it because it makes them feel odd around their peers.

Dr Patrick Muringwa from Dinnaisre Clinic in Kigali says many young people experience this condition and rush to pick anything that can turn their hair dark, but most often without finding out the cause.

He says for one to start graying, age doesn’t necessarily matter.

"Most of the time gray hair begins to show when the pigment cells in the follicle die. This causes hair to lose its colour and turn gray. This can occur at any age,” Muringwa says.

Why graying at an early age?

Muringwa explains that graying normally happens to those who are old due to reduced production of melanin, which is responsible for the dark colour of the hair. For young people, it’s a result of many factors, among them genetics.

According to Protais Munyarugamba, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Harmony de Clinic in Kigali, the trend of early graying is on the rise and the reasons for this vary.

He says, for instance, a person who is prone to suffering from recurrent colds or sinusitis is likely to lose of hair pigment, leading to early graying.

On the other hand, he says, those who don’t apply a lotion or vaseline to their scalp expose their hair to dryness, which is another contributor to one growing gray hair.

"Besides these, genetic factors also increase the likelihood of one getting the condition. A person whose parent (s) had this condition is likely to inherit the same gene of graying at an early stage,” says Munyarugamba.

Eugene Habimana, an orthopedic surgeon in Kigali, says sometimes obesity could contribute to graying, and in some cases, gray hair can be an indicator of some health issues. For instance, a bone condition known as osteopenia can result into premature graying.

He adds that chronic stress, a factor which leads to DNA damage, not only promotes cancer, aging and miscarriages, but can also affect the genes that control the hair pigment, thus premature graying.

Habimana points out that another factor that may contribute to early graying is the build-up of hydrogen peroxide in the hair which leaves it bleached, thus graying.

However, Rene Tabaro, a nutritionist at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, says graying that comes early can be an indication of poor diet.

"Poor nutrition plays a role in the development and progression of a variety of diseases, including diabetes, obesity and heart disease. The same case can lead to premature graying as well, and, therefore, one needs to check out their nutrition,” he says.

Tabaro, for example, explains that deficiency of nutrients like vitamin B-complex, copper, iron and iodine are all linked to one developing gray hair. Fresh fruits and vegetables with whole grains in daily diet are useful in preventing that.

He explains that vitamin B help in producing DNA, which is a building block for the entire body. While folate and B-12 work together to produce red blood cells and the proteins that are essential in repairing and building one’s body.

"Graying hair is a common side effect of folate and or B-12 deficiency. Folate can be obtained in leafy greens, beans and legumes, poultry products and citrus fruit. B-12 can be acquired from animal foods such as fish, beef and eggs,” he says.

According to Tabaro, the main symptoms that one is likely to develop gray hair is the lack of regular thicker hair that doesn’t grow as it instead gives a chance to thinner hair, usually gray, to grow.

Remedies for early graying

Dr Rachna Pande, an internal medicine specialist, says starting to get gray hair as early as adolescence could be due to a poor lifestyle.

"It is important to maintain good nutrition to prevent early hair graying. One should be careful because this is one condition, which, once it starts can be retarded but not reversed,” she cautions.

Pande warns that synthetic hair dyes and colours should be avoided if one has gray hair, saying these substances can cause cancer, especially in those who regularly use permanent hair dyes.

"Another vice that should be avoided at any cost is smoking,” adds Pande, explaining that this contributes to premature aging which also comes with gray hair.

She says regular massage of the scalp by natural oils like coconut or olive oil is a healthy remedy for the scalp and hair, and also prevents premature graying.

"Vitamin B present in curry leaves restores the functions of the natural pigment in the hair follicles that provides a shining black color to the hair strands and prevents further graying of hair. It also supplies essential nutrients to the hair and heals damaged hair roots. Being a rich source of beta-carotene, it stimulates hair growth and prevents hair fall,” she says.

Experts stress that proper management of mental worries and diet modifications are effective tips for reversing gray hair. The diet should contain foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean fish and milk; whereas spicy foods, oily foods, refined flour and soft drinks should be avoided as far as possible.

To prevent premature graying, Dr Muringwa says, avoiding shampoos with strong chemicals and avoiding dryness of scalp is essential. He also says anything that makes hair greasy should be avoided.

"The best thing to do is massaging your scalp with natural oils like coconut oil and others once in a while. Keeping the scalp clean is ideal too, but warm water shouldn’t be used while washing the hair,” he says.

And for those with other chronic health conditions, Dr Muringwa says they should seek medication first before trying out things like artificial dyes. And above all, one should stay away from things that cause stress.

*****

EXPERTS HAVE THEIR SAY...

Jean-Pierre Sibomana, a medic at University Teaching Hospital KigaliYouth nowadays are going through depression and excessive anxiety due unemployment and other social problems. All this puts them at the risk of having medical conditions including hair graying. Involving in educative programmes will keep their minds occupied thus preventing them from such situation that lead to premature aging and graying.

--

Bandora Iraguha, a nutritionistNutrition deficiency causes graying of hair. Consuming foods rich in fruits, vegetables, iron and copper is important in preventing gray hair in early stages. Avoiding habits like smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol prevents early aging which come a long with premature graying. Seeking medical attention to rule out the root cause of the condition is important.

--

Dieudonne Nsengimana, a medical studentKeeping your skin hydrated is essential. Also, one should increase their water intake. Spicy and fried foods should be avoided as they tend to make the scalp dehydrated. Regular washing of the scalp with warm water should be avoided as it all leads to graying.